7 Peaceful Homes That Incorporate Wabi-Sabi Styling

Cool, calm, and collected, is exactly how you should feel when stepping into a home that embodies the ancient Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi (侘寂). Centred around the acceptance and transience of imperfection, this ancient aesthetic is a popular interior design choice for those looking to turn their spaces into a zen oasis.

Wabi-sabi denotes a more connected way of living – a lifestyle, where we are deeply connected to nature, and in turn, better connected to our truest inner selves. In homes that follow this ancient Japanese philosophy, you’ll be sure to find a neutral colour palette of beiges, creams, varying shades of wood, green from the selection of plants carefully peppered throughout the home, and an array of natural materials such as jute, straw, willow, rattan, reed, and bamboo.

The Makers series has allowed us to step inside multiple different homes that embrace this ancient philosophy. Some of them exude wabi-sabi from the inside out, while others have subtle nods to this relaxing interior style.

1. Loui Burke’s Zen Oasis

The Melbourne-based content creator's warehouse style apartment exudes the wabi-sabi aesthetic, featuring neutral tones and natural palette of materials like timber, jute, linen, and hammered brass. Loui’s home is a quintessential example of modern wabi-sabi interior styling, where the integration of natural materials and nature itself are seamlessly weaved into his space to creating an extremely tranquil result.

Take a tour of the home.

2. Ashleigh Holmes’ Soothing Abode

Artist Ashleigh Holmes’ has created a minimal, contemporary style apartment on Sydney’s Northern Beaches which had the wabi-sabi philosophy in mind when it was being created. The home features a dialled down colour palette with warm neutrals and varying shades punctuating the otherwise white scheme. Rustic timber beams salvaged from an old wharf were placed above the sheer curtains in the living room and main bedroom, accentuating the overarching zen style the home exudes.

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3. Natalie Walton’s Peaceful Studio

Leading interior stylist Natalie Walton has created a timeless studio which was formerly a storage shed in the stunning New South Wales beach town of Byron Bay. Doubling as accommodation for guests, Natalie’s hybrid studio ties wabi-sabi elements into its styling, making for an incredibly relaxing result. White slatted timber walls line the interiors of the space, and natural wood creates structures inside which add both function and beauty to the studio.

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4. Bree Johnson's Tranquil Inner-City Home

Frank Body Founder Bree Johnson's tranquil open-plan home in the inner-city Melbourne suburb of Richmond is a peaceful delight. Soothing blue and green hues prevail in each room, creating harmony between spaces and an overall soothing aesthetic. This gorgeous home nods to wabi-sabi styling with its emphasis on natural materials, and inviting nature inside with its large windows and vine-filled courtyard.

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5. Lara Fells' Minimalist Haven

Co-founder of boutique lifestyle brand St Agni Lara Fells has created a wabi-sabi oasis in Byron Bay. Soaked in natural light, the strict neutral palette used throughout the space is the perfect marriage of simplicity and elegance. Her home beautifully melds an array of natural materials which give her space character and individuality, and perfectly suit the minimal, refined pieces she designs.

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6. Camille Styles’ Idyllic Austin Abode

Every day is a busy one in the life of Casa Zuma founder Camille Styles, and because of this she has made her home a peaceful sanctuary that she can easily unwind in after each day. Her organic modern home integrates wabi-sabi elements like the use of sheer cream curtains, natural materials of jute and straw, natural wooden furniture, and beige linens, which all work together to create a beautifully relaxing environment.

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7. Kelsey Coppetti's Calming Retreat

Immersed in the Joshua Tree Desert, Studio Marrant's Kelsey Coppetti has created a blissful retreat which is available to rent through Airbnb. Inspired by the surrounding landscape this breathtaking space is filled with calming neutrals and organic textures. Stucco walls, woven rugs, timber furniture, and timber ceiling beams line the interior, which are all quitessential elements of wabi-sabi styling.

Take a tour of the home.